“The top hat on my head is all you see
And the wire seems to be
The only place for me
A comedy of errors
And I’m falling.” — Leon Russell from “Tightrope”
While on safari in South Africa in January of 2009, Elton John heard Leon Russell’s Retrospective and realized, “It’s not fair that people have forgotten about how wonderful this man’s music was and that makes me angry.” After the trip and a few phone calls to Grammy winning producer T. Bone Burnett, John called up Leon Russell and asked, “Would you like to do a record?” And thus the way was paved for a legendary singer/songwriter/ performer who had been lost in the consciousness of American music to return to the spotlight.

Some remember Leon Russell only for his 1972 hit, “Tightrope”. His legacy goes much deeper. The “B” side of “Tightrope” was a crossover hit by George Benson — “This Masquerade”. It’s the first (and maybe only) song to hold the number one spot on three charts simultaneously; pop, jazz, and R & B. The Lawton, OK, native has made a name for himself not only as a singer/songwriter, but a much sought after session man. He has worked with a diverse and impressive list of music icons including the Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others.

So Elton, Leon, and T. Bone got together with Bernie Taupin and James T. Shaw and wrote the fourteen songs on The Union. The songs have a variety of authors from one such as “If It Wasn’t For Bad You’d Be Good” by Leon Russell to “There’s No Tomorrow” written by a collection of four (John, Russell, Shaw, and Burnett).

When you’re recording a project like this one with someone like Leon Russell (who has a long list of collaborations from Joe Cocker to the Beach Boys and the Concert for Bangladesh) it’s no surprise to gain the support of other big names. Joining the group in the studio on organ was Booker T. Jones (of the MG’s), Robert Randolph on guitar, and additional vocals from Neil Young and Brian Wilson. Russell’s repertoire has been described as “gospel-infused boogie piano rock, blues and country music” and sure enough, we hear a ten piece gospel choir on The Union

.

My favorite track is the opening number, one of two written by Russell alone, a number that exemplifies his niche in “boogie piano rock” and lyrics that can easily be attributed to him. It also includes a brief homage to his protégé with a few bars of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” at the 2:30 minute mark.
“Gone to Shiloh” is an emotion packed ballad featuring guest Neil Young. It would be great to experience this number in concert. “A Dream Come True” is an up-tempo good-time song written and performed by John and Russell. It’s easy to see them dueling at the keyboards, smiling, and having a foot-stomping time playing together; mentor and protégé, two legends forging new memories. (Watch for a documentary by Cameron Crowe of the recording sessions.)
With The Union (available now), Elton John has succeeded in reviving widespread interest in his idol and putting him back up on the tight wire…
“flanked by life and the funeral pyre
Putting on a show for you to see.”

Elton John and Leon Russell at US Airways Center Last Night

â€‹Elton John November 6, 2010
US Airways CenterElton John and Leon Russell let their fingers do the talking at last night's show at the US Airways Center.
John was, of course, the main attraction and the singer's solo set was hit after hit, satisfying a crowd full of people who wanted to hear their favorite of his songs. Not that they all came out sounding just like on the albums. And not that his touring partner got the same reception. "Rocket Man" was spiced up with some freestyle on the piano and a jammy electric guitar, followed by some reverb on the mic, which instigated a call and response with the crowd. The crowd echoed "Bennie!" and pumped their fists along with the piano chords during "Bennie and the Jets." And there's nothing like seeing old women stand up in their seats and air drum for the duration of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me."
Russell, a cult favorite who just recorded a critically-acclaimed album with John, who had opened for hi once-upon-a-time, and four soulful backup singers joined John for their shared set and full performance of their new album The Union. That mini-set began with Leon's "If It Wasn't For Bad" and continued with "Gone to Shiloh," a beautiful buzz kill about the American Civil War that finally allowed the crowd to take a break from grooving. Russell played "In the Hands of Angels," a song he wrote about Elton, which was the highlight of their joint set. The upbeat country style of "Jimmie Rodgers' Dream" would have brought everyone back to life if they were actually familiar with the song.

Maria Vassett

â€‹ In fact, most of the time Elton and Leon shared the stage, the crowd only nodded their heads and watched the musicians play together like the show was some sort of exhibition rather than a rock concert. "I know it's hard," Elton said of everyone having sat patiently though the performance of The Union after it had concluded. "Thank you for being so good to Leon."
However, both of Elton's solo sets were a treat for a lot of people to relive the soundtrack to their childhood. The crowd sang along and danced in the aisles with each other like they were old friends that all grew up together with Elton's songs. (Oh wait, they were.)
Captain Fantastic hopped on top of his piano and got the show back in full swing again with "Tiny Dancer," "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues," "Take Me to the Pilot," and "Your Song," among plenty of other well-loved classics.

Maria Vassett

â€‹ It was a very intimate show overall. Elton graciously stopped to show his love for the audience in between every song, reaching out his arms to them as though he was trying to embrace everyone all at once. He even signed front row fans' shirts and tickets, and shook and kissed their hands before beginning his encore.
Despite Leon Russell's great prominence, I'm particularly impressed with the new collaboration album, and it seemed like some of the crowd didn't think it was anything all that special either. I mean no disrespect to Russell, whom Elton John teamed up with to give his idol some spotlight, but the duo's performance of The Union in its entirety made it apparent that the crowd was largely there for Elton John.Critic's notebook:Last night: Elton John and Leon Russell at US Airways Center.Personal bias: None really. As someone who enjoys the essentials of rock, I really like Elton John even though there's no way for me to appreciate him as much as my mom did, since I wasn't around in his prime. Plus, Elton John and Billy Joel's Face 2 Face tour was one of the better shows I saw in 2009.The crowd: Just about everyone was 40 or older. A lot of mothers in attendance, some wearing feather boas, were dressed in their best rock star wife get-up like it was the one night a month they have to enjoy themselves for girls' night out. Men came out to the show in their most flamboyant button downs. Those folks know how to party though. I sure hope I'm as much fun as last night's crowd when I get to be their age.Overheard: "I feel like this concert is a birthday present for a lot of moms." Also: "I love you, Elton!" - a 50-year-old woman who clearly said it in the "I want to have your babies" kind of way, even though that will never happen for multiple obvious reasons.Random notebook dump: Even though Elton and Leon's The Union Tour and Elton and Billy Joel's Face 2 Face Tour are on two separate planes of comparison, the Face 2 Face show was much better.Setlist:Leon Russell
Tight Rope
Out in the Woods
Prince of Peace
A Song for You
Delta Lady
Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms
Stranger in a Strange Land

Elton John and Leon Russell
If It Wasn't For Bad
Hey Ahab
Gone to Shiloh
Jimmie Rodgers' Dream
There's No Tomorrow
Monkey Suit
The Best Part of the Day
A Dream Come True
When Love Is Dying
Hearts Have Turned to Stone
Never Too Old (To Hold Somebody)
In the Hands of Angels

Elton John
Burn Down the Mission
Levon
Tiny Dancer
Ballad of a Well-Known Gun
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
Take Me to the Pilot
Sad Songs Say So Much
The Bitch Is Back

Tags:

U.S. musician Leon Russell performs at a concert to promote his new album with British musician Elton John The Union at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California November 3, 2010.

British musician Elton John performs at a concert to promote his new album with U.S. musician Leon Russell, The Union at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California November 3, 2010.

British musician Elton John speaks on stage before the start of a concert promoting his new album with U.S. musician Leon Russell, The Union at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California November 3, 2010.

U.S. musician Leon Russell takes the stage at a concert promoting his new album with British musician Elton John, The Union at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California November 3, 2010.

British musician Elton John performs at a concert to promote his new album with U.S. musician Leon Russell, The Union at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California November 3, 2010.

U.S. musician Leon Russell performs at a concert to promote his new album with British musician Elton John The Union at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California November 3, 2010.

British musician Elton John performs at a concert to promote his new album with U.S. musician Leon Russell, The Union at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California November 3, 2010.

U.S. musician Leon Russell performs at a concert to promote his new album with British musician Elton John The Union at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California November 3, 2010.

British musician Elton John performs at a concert to promote his new album with U.S. musician Leon Russell, The Union at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California November 3, 2010.